Typically, an unfinished basement floor is made of concrete. While concrete is a practical material for a house's foundation, it isn't a very pretty surface to look at. Fortunately, most epoxy paints work well on concrete, and you can transform a gray basement floor into a colorful focal point. To get the best results, however, you must prep the floor properly before you paint. Good prep work leads to an even, durable finish.
Things You'll Need
- Muriatic Etching Solution
- Mop
- Concrete Patching Compound
- Painter'S Tape
- Water
- Bucket
- Broom
- Vacuum Cleaner
- Patching Trowel
- Putty Knife
Sweep the basement floor with a broom.
Vacuum dust and debris out of cracks and small divots in the basement floor. A broom removes surface debris, but most basement floors contain recessed imperfections that require vacuuming before patchwork can begin.
Fill cracks and dents with concrete patching compound. Use a putty knife to slather the patching compound onto the area. Paint won't hide imperfections; fixing cracks is an important part of painting prep.
Smooth out patched cracks with a patching trowel. Wait for the patching compound to dry. Quick-drying compounds harden in less than one hour, while other varieties can take a full day. Consult the container for the manufacturer's recommended drying times.
Apply painter's tape to trim and adjacent wall surfaces.
Mix 1 part muriatic etching solution with 10 parts water in a large bucket. Muriatic etching solutions are available at most hardware stores, and this cleanser is specifically designed for masonry surfaces.
Wash the floor with the diluted muriatic etching solution and a mop. Wait for the floor to fully dry before applying paint.
References
- “Stanley Complete: Complete Painting”; Larry Johnston; 2007
Writer Bio
Richard Kalinowski began writing professionally in 2006. He also works as a website programmer and graphic designer for several clients. Kalinowski holds a Master of Fine Arts from Goddard College and a Bachelor of Science in education from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.
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